PBL: The Underground Railroad You are a farmer in Alton, Illinois. The date is April 12, 1860. You wake early in the morning to begin your chores. As you are getting the horse ready to plow, there is a noise in the loft of the barn. Carefully you investigate. You find several black people hiding behind boxes and bags. Pointing your pitchfork in their direction you ask: “What are you doing in my barn?”

What will you do with the runaway slaves in your barn? One by one, they start telling their story. Their story is about being passengers on the Underground Railroad. Now they are lost. Listen to the start of their stories. What will you do with the runaway slaves in your barn?

Tom “My name is tom, but I herd tell it ain’t. I herd I was free too, but I never ben…free. I was free before day bring me here an sell me to Massa. Den I git his name. I run two, three times befuh. Dey git me ever’time. I bin whipped and los’ teeth. But now, I’z a child ob God wid my soul sot free. Now I’z makin’ my body free too. Dey say I steal things. But only when dey gib us de liquor. I din’t take nothing’. But dey still put $150 on my head. Now I do an’thing to be free! Please help me!

Cuffee “Ma name is Cuffee. My Mama sez I’z 14 years old. Dey say Mama and I got it good workin’ in the big house. But dey gonna sell us soon. Masa can’t keep the big house. Dey sellin’ me along wit the rice, hoses, an de other negroes. Like I wasn’t a real person. Mama say she fixen to leave when she can. I run from the house long time ago. Been walkin’ in the dark and stayin’ low with the sun. Mama gonna come too. She’ll fine me. Please help me!

Flora “I’m a free negra. But the catchers git it in their head I’m runnin’ away. Dey don’t care if dey got the right person! Dem and their dogs. Dey would cowhide and salt me. Den dey’d get a reward an I be singin’ sorrow songs to Jesus. I ain’t go’en back to no Massa! I’m free! Help me get all the way free.”

Lil’ Tony “Ma namez Lil Tony cause my Pa is Big Tony. I don’t know ob my brudders and sis, they bin sold off. Bid fer, one by one. Masa only wanna keep me and Pa. Mama ben gone a long time! Dey give me a letter her new Masa writ fer her. Can’t read. Don’t know nobody can. Left it wit Pa when I run wit Cuffee. Da railroad bring Mama to freedom too. No mo’ moanin’. Hep me? I git free, I’ll learn to read. I can writ Mama a letter then.

Tice Davids “My name is Tice Davids. I been runnin’ dodging’ trees and dodging’ catchers. I’m trying to git away from Massah. He sure mad when I run! I jump right into da river at St. Louis. My Massah get himself a boat. He rowed, I swam. I’z swimming’ for my life! I got outta da water and hid. Lucky he didn’t find me. I’z on the railroad now. Follow the drinkin’ gourd. But I’z lost since yesday. Can you help me get free?

Questions to ask What information is necessary to know in order to make your decision? (date, place, legislation, etc.) How much will the slaves’ personal stories be a factor in your decision?